Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics as well as the skin prick test (SPT) results of patients diagnosed as allergic rhinitis (AR) in Kayseri province in the year 2018.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 114 patients (39 males, 75 females; mean age 24±11.5 yıl; range, 3 to 63 years) who applied to Otolaryngology Department of Develi Hatice Muammer Kocatürk State Hospital in the year 2018 and was diagnosed as AR and performed SPT. There were 35 children and 79 adult patients. Patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics as well as SPT results were recorded.

RESULTS: When symptomatic periods were reviewed, there were 83 patients with seasonal and 31 patients with perennial AR. The most common admission was between the ages 11 to 20 years. The month of April was the most common admission period for seasonal AR patients. Seasonal AR was more common in those who had familial atopy history. No sensitivity to any allergen was detected in the SPT of 33 patients. Seventy-three patients had sensitivity to multiple allergens. The most common allergens were pollen IV mix (n=47), Dermatophagoides (D.) pterynossinus (n=37), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) (n=35), olive tree pollen (n=31) and D. farinae (n=30). While house dust mite allergy was more common in perennial AR patients, pollen sensitivity was more common in seasonal AR.

CONCLUSION: In Kayseri province, AR was more frequent in males until school age and in females after school age. The most common admission periods were adolescence and early adulthood. Seasonal AR was more common. While house dust mite allergy was more common in perennial AR patients, pollen sensitivity was more common in seasonal AR. Olive tree pollen allergy was common, although this type of tree does not grow in Kayseri region.